The Ministry of Health and family welfare on 20th October 2021 has extended the duration of “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP)”, an insurance scheme for health care workers fighting COVID-19, for a further period of 180 days.
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package was launched on 30th March 2020 to provide comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs. 50 Lakh to 22.12 lakh health care providers including community health workers and private health workers who may have been in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and may be at risk of being impacted by this.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic has still not abated and deaths of health workers deployed for COVID-related duties are still being reported from different States/UTs, accordingly, the insurance policy has been extended w.e.f. 21.10.2021 for a further period of 180 days so as to continue to provide the safety net to the dependents of health workers who are deputed to take care of COVID-19 patients. So far, 1351 claims have been paid under the scheme.
